Driving Combination Vehicles Safely

*Combination vehicles are usually heavier, longer and require more driving skill than single commercial vehicles. ths means that drivers of combination vehicles need more knowledge and skill than drivers of single vehicles.


*More than half of truck driver deaths in accidents are the result of truck rollovers. when more cargo is piled up in a truck, the "center of gravity" moves higher up from the road. the truck becomes easier to turn over. fully loaded rigs are 10 times more likely to roll over in a crash.

*two things will help prevent rollover: keeping the cargo as close to the ground as possible, and go slowly while turning. Keep the load centered on your rig. if the load is to one side so it makes a trailer lean, a rollover is more likely. make sure your cargo is centered and spread out as much as possible.

*rollovers can happen when you turn too fast. drive slowly around corners, on ramps and off ramps. avoid quick lane changes, especially when fully loaded.

REARWARD AMPLIFICATIOn
*rearward amplification causes the crack-the-whip effect. triples have a rearward amplification of 3.5. this means you can roll the last trailer of triples 3.5 times as easily as a 5-axle tractor-semi.

STEER GENTLY
*steer gently and smoothly when pulling trailers. if you make a sudden movement with your steering wheel, you could tip it over. follow far enough behind other vehicles (at least 1 second for each 10 ft of your vehicle length, plus another second if going over 40 mph. at night drive slow enough to see obstacles with your headlights before it is too late to change lanes or stop gently. slow down to a safe speed before going into a turn.